Roofer in high vis clothing and helmetrepairing a tile roof

Roofing Terminology – A-Z Guide

Have you received a quote for roof and gutter repairs, but you’re unsure what all the items mean? Our Roofing Terminology Guide takes the mystery out of the industry so you can make the right decision for your home.

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A

Anticon Blanket

An anticon blanket is installed above the battens, directly underneath the roof sheeting. It is a lightweight glass wool insulation that is adhered to a water-resistant reflective foil. Anticon blankets keep your home cooler in summer, prevent heat loss in winter and also reduce rain noise.

Apex

The apex is the highest point of your roof, which is typically the point where two or more slopes meet at the ridgeline.

B

Barge Capping

Barge capping is a flashing that is used to fix the gable end of the roof where the Colorbond® sheets start, providing a neat finish.

Batten

A batten is a piece of timber or a metal channel that is installed horizontally on top of roof rafters. These battens provide support for roofing materials like tiles and metal sheets.

Bay Window

Bay window is a term used to describe window constructions that protrude outwards from your home. This creates a recess within a room. Bay windows typically require a small section of roofing to protect the protrusion from the weather.

BMT

Base Metal Thickness (BMT) is a term that refers to the thickness of steel roofing before the ZINCALUME® and Colorbond® paint layer is applied. A higher BMT usually means the roofing will be longer-lived.

Box Gutter

A box gutter is a type of rain gutter that is concealed between the slopes of a roof.

C

Cladding

Cladding is the application of one material over another. Its purpose is to provide a degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance, and to improve the appearance of buildings.

Colorbond®

Colorbond® steel is an industry-leading sheet metal product that is commonly used as roofing. Colorbond® is produced with a ZINCALUME® base that provides corrosion resistance. The sheets are then coated with a chemically applied conversion layer to enhance adhesion. The final layer is a baked-on epoxy paint that provides long-lasting protection for the steel beneath.

D

Downpipe

A downpipe is a vertical pipe that carries rainwater from a gutter to the ground or to a drain.

E

Eaves

Eaves are the lower part of a roof that overhangs the face of a wall.

F

Fall

Fall refers to the angle of roofing and guttering.

Fascia

A fascia is a horizontal board that caps off the ends of the rafters. Gutters are fixed to the fascia board.

Fasteners

Fasteners are used to secure various components of your roof together. Nails, screws, bolts and clips are all considered fasteners.

Finial

A finial is a distinctive section or pointed ornament at the apex of the roof.

Fire Rating

Roofing materials are given a Fire Rating that measures the materials’ resistance to heat. The higher the Fire Rating, the more resistant your roof is to things like bushfires.

Flashing

Flashing is a thin sheet metal that is used to weatherproof the edges of roof systems. Flashing protects perimeters, penetrations, walls and other places, such as vent-pipes, chimneys, valleys and joints at vertical walls.

G

Gable

A gable is the triangular section of wall at the end of a pitched roof, extending from the eaves to the peak.

Gutters

Gutters are a shallow trough that is fixed beneath the edge of a roof to carry off rainwater.

Gutter Guard

Gutter Guard is a mesh product that is installed over gutters to prevent them from becoming clogged by leaves, twigs and other debris.

H

Hip

The hip is the sharp edge of a roof that runs from the ridge to the eaves, where two parts of the roof meet.

Hipped Roof

Hip roofs (or hipped roofs) have slopes on four sides. This design offers greater strength and excellent resistance to strong winds.

P

Parapet Wall

A parapet wall is an extension of the wall at the edge of a roof, which brings the wall up above the roof line. Parapet walls may conceal box gutters.

R

Rafter

Rafters are the parallel beams that support the roof. They form part of the roof truss and are crucial for supporting roofing materials.

Rainwater Head

A rainwater head is a box-shaped metal structure that collects water from a gutter and directs it into a downpipe. A rainwater head acts as an external overflow point that minimises water surges and aids in the flow of water through the downpipe.

Ridge

The ridge is a line that runs along the highest point of a roof, typically where two opposing roof slopes intersect.

Roof Pitch

Roof pitch is another term for the angle of a roof. Pitch is expressed in degrees.

Roof Truss

Roof trusses are the structural framework designed to carry the loads of a roof. Trusses are fixed to vertical walls around the perimeter of the home, and they may also be supported by load-bearing internal walls.

S

Safety Rail

Safety Rails are a Workplace Health and Safety requirement when performing roofing work. We install safety rails on all jobs to protect our teams from the danger of working at heights.

Sarking

Sarking is a moisture proof foil material that is placed over the roof battens but beneath the external roof covering (such as tiles or Colorbond® sheets).

Scaffolding

Scaffolding is a temporary structure that provides working platforms and helps roofers access your roof and guttering system.

Skillion

A skillion roof is a roof structure that features a single, flat section of roof that is installed at a steep angle.

Skylights

Skylights are a glazed window or translucent roof section fitted parallel to the roof’s slope to admit light.

Soffit

A soffit is the material that is used as a lining under the eaves. Soffits are installed between the fascia board and the external walls of the building.

V

Valley

Valleys are V-shaped metal channels that are formed where two inclined slopes of a roof meet. Valleys are used to direct water down to the guttering.

W

Whirlybird

Whirlybirds are a type of semi-mechanical vent that is installed on the roof of a house. Whirlybirds passively remove heat from the ceiling cavity and can significantly reduce summer temperatures.

Z

ZINCALUME®

ZINCALUME® is a steel that is a durable, strong roof cladding with superior corrosion resistance.